Custodial Workers Keep PG Schools Clean & Safe

They’re the folks who keep Prince George’s County’s 230 public schools clean, safe and running smoothly. They clean and wax the floors, cut the grass, vacuum and shampoo the carpets, wash the windows, and clean chewing gum and graffiti off desks. SEIU Local 400’s 1,200 custodial workers have been unionized since 1970, when the largely African-American workforce pushed for better wages, benefits, on-the-job rights and respect. “In our very first contract we won a $1-an-hour raise because the wages were so low,” says Local 400 President Carnell “Sonny” Reed, who’s led the union since 1979. Reed, who started his career as a custodial supervisor in 1964, helped organize the union and then served on its Executive Board before being elected President. “There were very few black supervisors back then,” says Reed, “but the union helped drive change, to the point now where the custodial supervisors at all 22 PG high schools are African American.” The union settled a new 3-year contract earlier this month that included a 6% raise, bonuses, expanded dental coverage and new benefits like access to computers for members and educational stipends. Custodial work involves more than just pushing a mop, Reed says. “Using buffers and shampooers looks easy but if you don’t watch yourself it can be big trouble.” These days, the local is growing, as use of school buildings increases and the need for experienced custodial workers grows as well, says Reed, who notes that the union has also been organizing school bus drivers in Charles County. The local is also moving ahead on improving electronic communication to members, and plans to launch the local’s website soon. Reed has been active in the broader labor community for many years serving as an officer of the Metro Council’s Executive Board for over a decade and currently as Vice President of the Maryland State/DC AFL-CIO.
-Report/photo by Andy Richards